Page 44 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

“She did,” Miss Goulding said breezily. “You took a risk being seen.”

“No one had come through there during our entire time,” he said defensively.

“And if they had? Would you have offered for my cousin?” she inquired, her sapphire blue eyes boring into him.

“Absolutely. I have already told Lady Tessa I plan to woo her.”

She chuckled. “I have heard. She is not eager for your suit.”

“Lady Adalyn believes we are a good match. She has decided to support my efforts.” He paused. “I was hoping you might do the same.”

Mischief lit her eyes. “Oh, dear. Poor Tessa. Everyone in league against her.”

“But for a very good cause,” he said smoothly and then added, “ask Lady Adalyn. She seems to be a good judge of character and she has told me of her success in matching other couples of theton.”

“I believe you, Lord Middlefield. I can see Adalyn championing your efforts. But tell me this—why are you interested in Tessa?”

As with Lady Adalyn, he knew total honesty would be important to this woman.

“Lady Tessa has more spirit and determination than any woman of my acquaintance. I think she would pass along those things to her children, both her sons and daughters.”

Miss Goulding nodded. “Tessa would be an excellent mother. But what of her as a wife?”

“I think she has depths which need to be explored. I would want her as a partner. Not someone subordinate to me.”

She bestowed a radiant smile upon him as they reached the dining room. “I think I shall support your cause, my lord.”

“Thank you, Miss Goulding.”

He helped her locate her place and seated her then looked around for his own seat. Spying his name on a card, he noticed he sat directly in the center of the table. He supposed Lady Uxbridge had placed him there so he would be able to converse with more people than if he had been seated at Lord Uxbridge’s right hand, the spot usually reserved for an honored guest.

His heart sped up, though, when he took his seat.

Because Tessa was seated on his left.

*

What had heraunt been thinking?

Tessa realized it hadn’t been her aunt at all. It had been Adalyn. She glanced down the table at her cousin, who smiled mysteriously at her. Why Adalyn had gotten into her mind to match Tessa with Lord Middlefield puzzled her.

She decided she would merely ignore him during dinner. Being seated in the center of the table, he would have access to a large number of people. It wasn’t as if he would be stranded and lack for people to converse with.

Turning to her left, she spoke to the viscount who lived next door to her uncle. He had three children, one of whom was seated across from Lord Middlefield and had made her come-out last Season. When Tessa met Miss Allen, she had sensed some undercurrent that she couldn’t explain. She had never disliked anyone on the spot—well, perhaps, Lord Middlefield—but Miss Allen would then be the second. Tessa had already decided to avoid her until she could ask Louisa and Adalyn about the young woman and her reputation.

The viscount only had thoughts for one topic. Horses. He droned on at length about them. She listened with half an ear, nodding occasionally, while her attention focused on Lord Middlefield and his conversation. She had to admit that he was socially adept for all his protests of being rough about the edges. Others asked him about his time at war and he readily had a few stories at hand. With ease, he would tell one and then turn the attention back to someone else, asking them a question and allowing them to speak at length about themselves or their opinions.

Finally, she grew weary of the topic of horses and said, “I have so enjoyed our conversation, my lord, but I have neglected Lord Middlefield. He is our guest of honor and I know my aunt wants me to make certain his lordship is comfortable.”

Tessa turned and began listening to the others around her though she didn’t immediately join in. She knew, however, that the earl realized she was more attuned. She couldn’t say how or why, just that she felt she could read his mood.

“Since you are new to the title and have been at war, have you seen much of London, Lord Middlefield?” a guest asked.

“Not much. Lord Ellington has invited me to go to Gentleman Jack’s with him and I believe I will take him up on it.”

“We should spar together, Middlefield,” the earl suggested eagerly.

“How about tomorrow morning?”

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